Southampton continue hunt for AC Milan target Davide Astori

The Cagliari star has repeatly been linked with a transfer to the San Siro outfit and Napoli, with the Bergamo native valued at over £10m.

But according to new reports, the 26-year-old centre back in now being eyed by several Premier League clubs, with Southampton leading the race.

Astori has been with the Sardinians since 2008, having turned down a potential deal to move to Russian high-flyers Spartak Moscow last year.

“Davide Astori is a point of reference for the future”

Club director Cagliari Francesco Marroccu

The Azzurri are believed to still be front-runners for the centre-back's services but face a hard task in convincing Cagliari owner Massimo Cellino to part with one of his most prized players.

Club director Francesco Marroccu said: "Davide Astori is a point of reference for the future. He is a player that we would not consider selling.

"Cagliari will start again from him. He represents us on the world stage and he is a certainty for us. And we have not forgotten when he rejected a move to Spartak Moscow last year in order to remain here. That gesture made us proud."

Tottenham were also thought to be showing interest in securing the Italian international star, who's currently taking part in the Confederations Cup.